Dushawn Hill: Bigger Than Basketball – A Journey of Opportunity, Leadership and Giving Back

Photo via Ian Cunningham

In 2021, as a junior at Cleveland Heights High School, Dushawn Hill attended the 3rd Annual I.C.Change Basketball Showcase in Northeast Ohio with a vision. Hill was a solid role player who knew he wanted to continue his education and play college basketball. Although he wasn’t receiving attention from Division I or Division II programs, he knew he was good enough to play at the next level.

That’s exactly why the I.C.Change Basketball Showcase was created.

Known as “The Big Showcase for the Small Schools,” the event focuses on providing exposure and opportunities to student-athletes interested in playing at the NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA, NCCAA and junior college levels.

Hill was certainly capable of playing college basketball, and his senior season proved it.

After graduating from Cleveland Heights High School in 2022, Hill had earned First Team All-Conference honors, was named Team MVP and team captain, and helped lead his team to a district championship.

A proud Northeast Ohio native, Hill has always had a love for the area and a passion for helping others in his community. After receiving several opportunities to continue his education and basketball career, the 6-foot-2 guard ultimately decided that Division III Hiram College was the right fit.

The Terriers provided an opportunity for Hill to make an immediate impact, and he didn’t waste much time.

Hill scored 15 points in just his second collegiate game against Baldwin Wallace. During his sophomore season, he appeared in 23 games, averaged 5.3 points per game and finished second on the team in three-point field goals made with 22. He also recorded 17 steals.

Unfortunately, an injury kept Hill off the court during his junior season.

He responded by returning for his senior campaign, appearing in 25 games with three starts. Hill averaged 6.3 points per game and scored in double figures seven times, including a season-high 17-point performance against Allegheny on February 21.

Now, Hill is entering his fifth year at Hiram College as a graduate student, preparing for another opportunity to compete in the game he loves.

Leadership Beyond the Basketball Court

Head Coach Pierce Cumpstone, entering his third season leading the Terriers, has high expectations for his veteran guard. Cumpstone previously served as an assistant coach with the program from 2022–2024 after completing a five-year professional playing career in Europe.

With a challenging schedule ahead in the competitive Presidents’ Athletic Conference, Hill’s experience, leadership and accountability will be important pieces for Hiram.

But Coach Cumpstone and his staff understand that building a successful basketball program means developing young men beyond the game. Their commitment to making an impact in the community reflects that philosophy.

For Hill, that message hits close to home.

A double major in Sport Management and Entrepreneurship, he is already thinking about life after basketball. He understands that his education and the relationships he builds along the way will be just as important as anything he accomplishes on the court.

And what Hill has chosen to do outside the classroom is something that deserves recognition.

Bigger Than Sports: Making an Impact on the Next Generation

Hill has made giving back a priority. He has taken time out of his busy schedule as a college student-athlete to visit juveniles at multiple county detention centers, including the Portage County and Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Centers.

During these visits, Hill spends quality time talking with residents, sharing his experiences and, of course, playing basketball with them.

These visits aren’t about recognition, statistics or personal accomplishments. They’re about connecting with young people who may need someone to believe in them.

For a college athlete, making time for these visits is a tremendous commitment. But for Hill, it’s something he takes seriously.

When asked about his motivation, Hill explained that if he can make an impact on young people in the area and change even one life, that alone is enough reason to continue visiting and spending time with them.

Hill understands the power of sports because basketball played a significant role in his own life. He believes the game helped keep him in school and out of trouble.

Now, he wants young people facing difficult circumstances to understand that college can be an opportunity to change the direction of their lives.

He hopes that by sharing his journey, he can become the bridge that helps someone else see what’s possible.

That’s what mentorship is about. It’s about showing up, building relationships and allowing young people to see examples of what their futures could look like.

We need more people willing to give back through sports, mentorship and community involvement. Sometimes, a few hours of someone’s time can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

The Journey Is Just Beginning

Hill recently opened his final season with the Terriers, scoring 11 points in a tough road loss.

While the final chapter of his collegiate basketball career is approaching, his impact on the community is only beginning.

Basketball has given Dushawn Hill opportunities, friendships, an education and experiences that will last well beyond his playing days.

But perhaps one of his greatest contributions will have nothing to do with the points he scores or the games he wins.

It will be the young person who remembers that a college basketball player took the time to visit, listen, share his story and show them that there is more waiting for them beyond their current circumstances.

As Hill continues his journey, one thing is clear: It’s always bigger than the game.

Life is what keeps him going, and his journey has only just begun.

BIGGER THAN SPORTS.

X: @iancle1
Instagram: @icchangeshowcase

Follow Dushawn Hill

X: @isoduj
Instagram: @duj_hill